Case Report

Clinical Theileriosis in a Calf 

Submitted by Helena Trevor, Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine

Culture Corner

My mom was born in Barcelona and raised in Catalonia, so I grew up appreciating many

beautiful Catalan traditions. One of my favorite Catalan traditions is watching ‘Els Castells’ (“the

Human Tower”), sometimes going up to 10+ levels, and it is an important part of many annual

festivities throughout Catalan towns and cities! This particular mural was in the Catalan region of

Penedès, where the “Castellers de Vilafranca” perform. Not only does this tradition take physical

teamwork and incredible coordination among the team (who are typically made up of families that

have passed down this tradition for generations), but it also showcases what happens when we all

come together for a common goal – unified, we can reach incredible heights, and I love to see a part

of our Catalan culture remaining alive for the world to see!

My mom was born in Barcelona and raised in Catalonia, so I grew up appreciating manybeautiful Catalan traditions. One of my favorite Catalan traditions is watching ‘Els Castells’ (“theHuman Tower”), sometimes going up to 10+ levels, and it is an important part of many annualfestivities throughout Catalan towns and cities! This particular mural was in the Catalan region ofPenedès, where the “Castellers de Vilafranca” perform. Not only does this tradition take physicalteamwork and incredible coordination among the team (who are typically made up of families thathave passed down this tradition for generations), but it also showcases what happens when we allcome together for a common goal – unified, we can reach incredible heights, and I love to see a partof our Catalan culture remaining alive for the world to see!

Submitted by Angelina Sapienza, University of Florida 

Sofia Steckler “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

Even now, as a dual degree veterinary and public health student at the University of Minnesota,

I am not entirely certain of the answer – and honestly, I may never be. What I do know is that

my experience as an extern with the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)

Government Relations Division has expanded my understanding of what a career in veterinary

medicine entails.

Over the last two years, I have repeatedly encountered New World screwworm (NWS) in the

classroom as an example of a consequential disease that requires successful eradication

programs and proper emergency preparedness. When multiple cases of NWS were confirmed

in the United States, being in DC gave me a front row seat to what the rapid response looked

like for this reemergence and allowed me to combine my classroom knowledge with a real-time,

relevant example. Through calls with Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, case tracking, and

policy discussions, I experienced classroom concepts come to life. Watching the response

unfold also showed me how closely science, policy, and public communication are intertwined.

I have had the opportunity to meet lawmakers, discuss policy and the legislative process, and

better understand the knowledge gaps between the veterinary community and the general

public. These experiences have highlighted the unique and necessary role veterinarians play in

policy conversations.

During congressional meetings and events, other attendees asked for my perspective on

serious veterinary issues. Like many veterinary students, I experience ample amounts of

impostor syndrome. We try to absorb enormous amounts of information in the classroom, but

we do not always have opportunities to apply that knowledge in real-world settings. To my

surprise, I found that I could meaningfully contribute to the conversation. These moments

helped me build the confidence I lacked in the lecture hall.

Veterinary medicine is also remarkably nonpartisan. I was able to meet with members of

Congress from both parties who support our profession. Animals matter to everyone

– regardless of political affiliation – for food security, companionship, public health, and

prevention of zoonotic diseases. In a world that feels increasingly polarized, it was refreshing to

see people with different beliefs come together around shared priorities.

This experience has reinforced that veterinary medicine extends far beyond the clinic. It

introduced me to opportunities grounded in One Health – the idea that animal, human, and

environmental health are deeply connected – and reinforced the importance of advocacy.

Policymakers and the public need veterinary voices at the table. As future veterinarians, we

have a responsibility to advocate for animal welfare, public health, and issues at the animal-

human interface.

Although I still don't know exactly what I want to be when I grow up, this externship has shown

me that veterinary medicine offers far more possibilities than I ever imagined – and that our

voices can make a difference beyond the clinic.

PHCOC 2025-2026 Underserved Areas Award Winner.

Morgan Scanlon 

In June 2025, I attended a Rural Area Veterinary Services (RAVS) wellness clinic as a

veterinary student volunteer in Lower Brule, South Dakota. RAVS works to expand access to

veterinary care in underserved communities, and the community located on the Lower Brule

reservation was profoundly underserved. According to community members, there was no

veterinary care within 50 miles, making the RAVS clinic their only opportunity each year to

access care for their beloved animals, especially for clients without access to transportation.

Clients were incredibly grateful for the opportunity to bring their animals to us, and many made

multiple trips throughout the week to ensure all of their pets were seen.

As a veterinary student, I was responsible for conducting wellness appointments, which

included administering vaccines and medications, educating clients about the purpose and use

of flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives, developing diagnostic and treatment plans for

patients, treating wounds, and making clinical decisions to care for fearful or nervous animals

under the supervision of RAVS veterinarians. These responsibilities provided invaluable

hands-on clinical experience while reinforcing the importance of communication, flexibility, and

resource-conscious medicine when working in underserved communities.

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to participate in this clinic and learn from an

amazing veterinary team. This experience demonstrated the profound impact that accessible

veterinary care can have on both animals and their families while allowing me to develop

practical clinical and communication skills. It also inspired me to attend another RAVS clinic this

year and continue working to expand access to veterinary care. Most importantly, this

experience strengthened my commitment to serving underserved communities and pursuing a

career focused on improving access to veterinary care.

Ben Rogers “Externs on the Hill”

This summer, I swapped my farm boots for a suit as an extern with the American

Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Government Relations Division in Washington,

DC. As a veterinary student whose professional interests align with swine production,

my immersive experience in the AVMA externship has deepened my appreciation for

public policy and advocacy. Veterinarians must have a “seat at the table” when policy

decisions are made that shape our profession and the lives of those we serve.

I’ve long understood the critical role of advocacy for veterinarians, livestock producers,

and the consumers who depend on us daily for safe, high-quality protein. My previous

summers in veterinary school were spent immersed in hands-on swine production

medicine and research across Midwest swine systems. That work with pork producers

remains my driving force. This summer, I purposefully sought out this externship with

the intention of gaining a better understanding of how federal policies are crafted, how

they ultimately affect a veterinarian’s ability to support livestock producers, and to

explore the breadth of career paths available to veterinarians.

The AVMA externship has opened doors to meaningful networking. I have connected

with veterinarians working in federal government as well as legislative and policy

development, most notably at the U.S. Senate, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Public

Health Services, Food and Drug Administration, National Institutes of Health, and

Health and Human Services. This experience has delivered on my intended purpose of

exploring career paths that blend swine production expertise with public policy. I

continue to build relationships with key livestock industry groups like the National Pork

Producer’s Council and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, food manufacturers

such as Tyson Foods, and other stakeholders including Ducks Unlimited, the American

Sugar Alliance, and the U.S. Rice Producers Association.

A true highlight of this experience was collaborating with the exceptional AVMA staff.

Their tireless advocacy on behalf of our profession is inspiring, and it was an honor to

contribute to their work. Together, we attended events to network with members of

Congress and joined Capitol Hill meetings to discuss legislation vital to the practice of

veterinary medicine.

Particularly timely were conversations around preserving veterinary access to the

animal sedative xylazine, along with efforts to recruit and retain veterinarians in rural

and underserved communities. These bills carry special weight for our profession right

now, especially as we confront challenges like the reemergence of New World

screwworm in South Texas. I also continue to sharpen my research and writing skills by

drafting executive summaries on bills affecting veterinary medicine for AVMA’s

advocacy team.

The AVMA externship has strengthened my grasp of the legislative processes and

coalition-building skills, which every veterinary student should develop. This experience

has shown me how veterinarians can effectively influence public policy and how real-

world experiences in swine production medicine can add a powerful perspective to that

advocacy work.

Heading into my final two years of veterinary school, I’m reminded of the many doors

my DVM opens, including opportunities to pivot and explore new directions that exist at

every stage of a career. It’s never too late to gain fresh experiences. I’m energized to

carry the connections and insights from this summer into practice as a swine

veterinarian while viewing production and clinical knowledge through the lens of policy

and advocacy.

To any veterinary student reading this article who is hesitant about stepping into

veterinary policy and advocacy: just do it. You never know where the experience will

lead, but the AVMA externship experience will certainly deliver outstanding

opportunities and a broader worldview of the impact of our profession.